Written Answers

Tuesday 27 June 2000

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review variations in prices of drugs for animals available in Scotland compared to other countries in the European Union and whether it will publish details of any measures it intends to take to improve the competitive position of the farming industry.

Ross Finnie: The authorisation and marketing of veterinary medicines is a matter reserved to the Westminster Parliament. Obviously it is in the Scottish farmers’ interest that these should be as competitively priced as possible.

Agriculture

Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts and progress it is making to trace the 400 cattle sold from the Roslin Institute to farms in the UK which might be carrying the "Theileria annulata" parasite.

Ross Finnie: Tracing of cattle which have moved off Roslin Institute farms over the past three years is being carried out by the State Veterinary Service. To date investigations have revealed that 217 of the 400 cattle are no longer alive. Of the remainder, movements have been recorded to farms in both Scotland and England. Tracing these animals will be completed soon. Thereafter all farms where these cattle are located will be visited to carry out full investigations and to collect blood samples for testing.

Benefits

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding devolving powers relating to council tax benefit to Scotland, given that local government levies the tax.

Mr Jack McConnell: Social security benefits including housing and council tax benefit are reserved matters and are the responsibility of the DSS.

Coalfield Regeneration Trust

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what process is used to allocate and distribute funding from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust across Scotland.

Jackie Baillie: The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has two development officers based in Scotland who support and advise Scottish voluntary and community groups in the development of their applications to the Trust for funding. The assessment of these applications is kept distinct from this development function.

  Applications for funding from Scotland, Wales and England go forward to the Board of Trustees which currently meets on a four-weekly basis. While the final decision of the Trustees is a collective one, the two Scottish Trustees are able to advise the board on any matters which specifically relate to Scotland or Scottish applications.

  Distribution of funds for successful applicants in Scotland comes from the £4.5 million funding allocation from the Scottish Executive.

Coast Protection

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the total amounts paid to local authorities to promote coastal protection schemes in each of the last five years showing (a) the amount, (b) the local authority and (c) the name of the project.

Sarah Boyack: In response to requests from local authorities, the amount of grant paid to authorities for coast protection schemes in each of the last five years is as follows:

  


Year


Grant Amount


Local Authority


Scheme




1999


£54,942


Highland Council


Kyle Prospect







£119,402


Highland Council


ShieldaigVillage Improvements







£216,102


Moray Council


Buckie Rook Craig, West Pier




1998


£33,693


Highland Council


Huna, John O’Groats



 

£1,157


Highland Council


Crofts 2+4 Camus Lusta, Isle 
of Skye



 

£18,159


Aberdeenshire Council


Port Erroll




1997


£32,548


Highland Council


Skye Golf Club Sconser



 

£5,247


Highland Council


Crofts 2+4 Camus Lusta, Isle 
of Skye



 

£6,982


Fife Council


East Wemyss Caves




1996


£86,295


Fife Council


Dysart and East Wemyss



 

£292


Grampian Regional Council


Banff Harbour



 

£12,320


Highland Council


Fortrose




1995


£11,794


Grampian Regional Council


Stonehaven Old Lifeboat Station



 

£7,336


Highland Regional Council


Clachan and Mill Place, Raasay



 

£17,537


Grampian Regional Council


Gourdon Harbour, Ware Hole



 

£84,374


Grampian Regional Council


Buckie



 

£3,349


Highland Regional Council


Kyleakin Harbour Development

Culture

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding Historic Scotland’s opposition to the improvement of Tobermory Pier.

Rhona Brankin: Historic Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Executive, welcomes the proposal to improve Tobermory Pier.

Culture

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what capital expenditure was on arts, culture and sport, the built heritage, national monuments and national institutions in each of the last six years, broken down by project and specifying in each case the total cost and start date.

Rhona Brankin: Details of Scottish Executive funding towards major capital projects costing £2 million or more are listed in the following table. The figures do not include minor or maintenance capital projects which are met from running   cost allocations.

  


Body/Project


1994-95


1995-96


1996-97


1997-98


1998-99


1999-2000


Start Date


SE Funding


Total Project Cost



 

£ million




CULTURAL HERITAGE




National Library of Scotland (NLS) Causewayside


1.9


0.3


0.05


0


0


0


1991


21.0


21.0




NLS George IV Bridge-fire safety work


1.0


1.6


1.4


2.1


2.1


2.1


1994


12.8


13.0




National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) - Dean 
Gallery


0


0


1.0


1.0


0.4


0


1996


£2.9


9.3




NGS - Granton Research Project


0


0


0


0


0


0.1


1999


2.0


2.0




NGS - Royal Scottish Academy 


0


0.6


0.1


0


0


1.7


1995


10.0


22.0




National Museums of Scotland (NMS) – Museum 
of Scotland


5.9


3.7


7.7


11.4


7.0


1.0


1989


37.2


52.2




NMS – Accommodation Strategy


1.2


1.2


1.2


1.2


1.2


1.2


1990


13.0


13.0




Granton Research Centre


1.8


1.7


0.2


0


0


0


1992


3.7


3.7




ARTS




CCA Arts Centre- refurbish


0


0.004


0.005


0.02


0.6


2.1


1995


7.6


10.6




Dundee City Arts Centre


0


0


0.5


2.4


2.5


0


1997


5.4


9.0




Dance Base Dance
Centre – Edinburgh


0.004


0


0


0.004


0.6


1.8


1995


4.9


6.1




Tron Theatre, Glasgow


0


0


0.2


0.2


2.1


0.8


1997


4.6


5.1




Edinburgh Festival Centre 


0


0


0


0.2


2.2


1.3


1998


3.7


8.4




Arches Theatre 


0


0


0.08


0.02


0


0.7


1996


3.6


5.0




New Byre Theatre, St Andrews


0


0.003


0.2


0.4


0.2


1.1


1996


4.3


5.4




Stirling Tolbooth Arts Centre


0


0


0


0.01


0


0.4


1997


3.1


5.5




Dundee Rep Theatre


0


0


0


0.04


0.03


1.6


1997


2.5


3.4




RSAMD New Opera School, Glasgow


0


0


0.5


1.1


0.6


0.05


1996


2.6


5.5




Tramway Arts centre,
Glasgow 


0


0


0.1


0


0.3


1.1


1996


2.3


4.6




New Dance Centre, Dundee
College


0


0.007


0


0.001


0.06


0.2


1996


2.3


4.6




Scottish Opera, New Workshop


0


0


1.0


1.1


0


0


1996


2.1


3.4




Glasgow 1999 Lighthouse- conversion 


0


0


0


0


1.2


0.9


1997


2.1


11.1




Theatre Royal, Glasgow 


0


0


0


1.5


0


0


1997


1.6


2.1




Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, Workshop 



0


0


0


0


0.5


0.7


1998


1.5


3.9




Pitlochry Festival Theatre


0


0


0.007


0


0


0.3


1996


1.6


3.0




Gilmorehill Theatre, Glasgow


0


0


0.5


0.4


0


0


1996


0.9


4.3




Gaelic - student homes at Sabhal Mor Ostaig


0


0


0


0.9


0


0


1999


0.9


6.0




BUILT HERITAGE




Stirling Castle


1.2


1.9


2.0


2.1


3.5


2.7


1991


13.4


21.9




Stanley Mills


0


0.2


0.5


1.7


1.3


2.0


1995


5.7


11.0




SPORT




Sportscotland (Ss) Hampden redevelopment, 
Phase II


0


0


0


0.8


0.5


3.5


1996


4.8*


51.0




Ss-Tollcross Leisure Centre


0.285


0.2


0.03


0


0


0


1994


0.5 


10.5m




Ss-Pickaquoy sports hall, Orkney


0


0


0.06


0.1


0.04


0


1996


0.2 


8.5m




Ss-Tennis, Craiglockhart Edinburgh


0.1


0


0


0


0


0


1993


0.3#


2.9




Ss-Aquadrome, Inverness


0


0.2


0.04


0


0


0


1995


0.24 


9.9




  * This includes the Scottish Executive’s contribution of £2.8 million to the rescue package negotiated during 1999-2000.

  # £0.2 million was paid in 1993-94.

E-Commerce

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why a Scottish monthly e-commerce update was not included in the progress report by the UK e-Envoy dated 31 March.

Henry McLeish: The purpose of the monthly reports by the Office of the e-Envoy is to summarise progress across the UK on matters highlighted in the PIU report e-commerce@its.best.uk published in October 1999. Much of the progress summarised in the e-Envoy’s report published on 31 March relates to reserved matters, from which Scotland benefits along with the rest of the UK. The Scottish Executive will continue to provide contributions to future reports as appropriate.

Education

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local government will remain the custodian of the education service.

Mr Sam Galbraith: We have no plans to change the role of education authorities from that currently set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Bill.

Education

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it envisages for local government as employers in modernising the education service.

Mr Sam Galbraith: We know that local authorities share our vision of a modern, adaptive education service. We are pleased to be working in partnership with them to address the McCrone recommendations and on other issues. We do not envisage any change in the role education authorities play in working towards an education service fit for the 21st century.

Enterprise

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract manufacturing companies to Glasgow.

Henry McLeish: Locate in Scotland (LiS) is keen to market Glasgow as a location for inward investment projects in suitable cases. In the last financial year (1999–2000) LiS attracted 19 projects to Glasgow which, if fully developed, will provide 2,915 new jobs and safeguard a further 261 jobs. Of these, 190 new jobs will be in manufacturing and a further 113 manufacturing jobs will be safeguarded.

Enterprise

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government with regard to the future of the Royal Ordinance Factory at Bishopton, what decisions or conclusions were reached and whether it intends to have any future discussions with them on this matter.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.

Enterprise

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the staff or shop-stewards of the Royal Ordinance Factory at Bishopton, the local authority, local enterprise companies or local community and business representatives with regards to the future of the factory; what conclusions or decisions were reached, and whether it intends to hold any future discussions.

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any strategies in place or in preparation to deal with the local and national economic and social impact of the closure of the Royal Ordinance Factory at Bishopton and what are the details of any such strategies.

Henry McLeish: On 5 November 1999, I established the Bishopton Working Group to identify ways of creating new, sustainable jobs through the redevelopment of this important site which is expected to be closed by BAE SYSTEMS in 2002. Membership of the group, chaired by Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering, consists of representatives from BAE SYSTEMS, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Trade Union Congress, Royal Ordnance Bishopton Union Convenors, Paisley Chamber of Commerce and Bishopton Community Council.

  The working group, which has met five times so far, has recently commissioned initial studies of the potential uses of the site and of the extent of land remediation that will be required. The working group is also considering how those who would be affected by the closure decision could be assisted to find new work. The working group will continue to meet to oversee the development process for as long as Ministers require.

Finance

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether as part of its work on the 2000 revaluation it is expected that the Scottish Property Network will receive from each assessor an electronic copy of the valuation roll; when this information is expected to be received; whether it will publish or place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a summary of this information, and what the combined rateable value of all properties in Scotland is.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Property Network expect to receive a completed electronic copy of the valuation roll from each assessor by the end of July; a summary is expected to be available in the autumn and will be placed in SPICe. The current estimate of the rateable value of all properties in Scotland as at 1 April 2000 (based on a 10% sample) is £4,189 million.

Finance

Mike Watson (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what amount of money generated by end-year flexibility will be available to the Scottish Executive this year.

Mr Jack McConnell: Following discussions with departments I have agreed with Treasury that £435 million of resources carried forward from 1999-2000 will be available to the Scottish Executive. These resources were generated through prudent management and carried forward under the end-year flexibility rules. A detailed announcement of allocations by programme will be made as soon as possible.

Further Education

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6963 by Henry McLeish on 24 May 2000, whether Coatbridge College’s recognition and procedures agreement, in particular insofar as it allows the college management a role in determining acceptable trade union representatives, accords with the Executive’s expectation that further education colleges should maintain high standards of union recognition and negotiation in respect of both academic and non-academic staff.

Henry McLeish: The Board of Management of a further education college has a statutory duty to manage the college.

Higher Education

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive why the University of the Highlands and Islands has not been designated by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council as an institution of higher education.

Henry McLeish: An application was received in December 1998 for designation of a new institution, called UHI, as a provider of higher education, eligible for funding by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. A public consultation exercise identified a number of issues to be addressed before Ministers can reach a decision. Once UHI has addressed these issues we will be able to make that decision.

Higher Education

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the chief executive of the University of the Highlands and Islands project concerning designation as an institution of higher education.

Henry McLeish: Neither I nor my officials have had recent discussions with the Chief Executive of UHI. I met with Sir Fraser Morrison, Chairman of UHI, on 9 June, and he was able to give an encouraging report on progress to date.

Higher Education

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council concerning designation of the University of the Highlands and Islands as an institution of higher education.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council was amongst the bodies consulted in April 1999 about the application for designation of a new higher education institution called UHI. In addition, the Scottish Executive has sought advice from the council about the likely funding needs of a designated UHI.

Higher Education

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any conditions which the University of the Highlands and Islands has to meet prior to designation as an institution of higher education.

Henry McLeish: An application for designation of a new institution, called UHI, was received in December 1998. A public consultation exercise identified a number of issues to be addressed before Ministers can reach a decision. These were summarised in a letter of 6 April to UHI. It remains with UHI to address these issues, and once it has done so we will be able to make a decision on the designation application.

Higher Education

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the University of the Highlands and Islands to be designated as an institution eligible for funding by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.

Henry McLeish: An application for designation of a new institution, called UHI, was received in December 1998. A public consultation exercise identified a number of issues to be addressed before Ministers can reach a decision. It remains with UHI to address these issues, and once it has done so we will be able to make a decision on the designation application.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the impact of the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer on owner-occupiers who occupy buildings which are also partly tenanted.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The framework document, Better Homes Stronger Communities , which was published on 10 April, outlined a package of initiatives which could be developed to promote owner-occupation and to assist existing owners. These will be considered further as a transfer proposal is developed.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure all new homes built in Scotland are fitted with smoke alarms.

Sarah Boyack: The Technical Standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (as amended) require that all new homes are fitted with smoke alarms.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that a representative of Glasgow’s owner-occupiers, who share buildings and factoring services with local authority properties, is appointed to the board of the Glasgow Housing Association.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Interim Management Committee of the Glasgow Housing Association is being established taking account of the framework document, Better Homes Stronger Communities , which was published on 10 April. The committee will be composed of tenants, councillors and independents. However, owner-occupiers will be consulted as a transfer proposal is developed. There will also be opportunities for owner-occupiers to participate in Neighbourhood Forums and in Area Housing Partnerships.

Information Technology

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce the Computers Within Reach Scheme which will provide computers to low income families.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure that people on low incomes have access to information technology.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce schemes whereby people on low incomes can lease computers.

Peter Peacock: We want everyone to participate in the Information Age and Scottish Ministers support the target of universal Internet access by 2005.

  We have no direct equivalent to the pilots that the DfEE are introducing under their Computers Within Reach scheme, nor do we currently have plans for a central scheme to lease computers to low income families, although I understand that some similar initiatives involving refurbished computers are running in parts of Scotland.

  Our access strategy centres around community-based provision, where technical support can be readily provided. A wide range of measures are being promoted by the Executive to ensure that the various networks of community-based ICT centres – including schools, colleges, and libraries – will offer affordable access to all.

Local Government

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1752 by Mr Frank McAveety on 25 May 2000, whether local authorities should abide by industrial tribunal decisions in relation to local authority employees.

Mr Frank McAveety: Local authorities, like other employers, must comply with the terms of Employment Tribunal decisions but may seek a review or appeal on a point of law to the Employment Appeal Tribunal as they see fit.

Local Government

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Scottish Executive are extremely grateful for the work of the group led by Richard Kerley and their report has been published and presented to the Executive today. Copies are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). The findings of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group will now be considered by the Executive. That consideration will be taken forward initially by an ad hoc Ministerial Working Group chaired by the First Minister. The Ministerial Working Group will report to the Cabinet and the Cabinet’s conclusions will be announced in due course.

Mining

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6523 by Sarah Boyack on 18 May 2000, whether it will institute a study to gather the information requested and make this available to environmental bodies, planning authorities and the general public.

Sarah Boyack: National Planning Policy Guideline 16: Opencast Coal and Related Minerals confirms that financial guarantee schemes are an appropriate means for reassuring local communities of an operator’s commitment and ability to restore sites properly and timeously; and that such guarantees should become the norm for future consents. I also understand that the Scottish Minerals Officer Forum, a sub-group of the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning, has recently indicated an intention to produce a best practice paper on restoration bonds. It is for the planning authorities to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place for the effective restoration of opencast sites.

Ministerial Correspondence

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are applied by Ministers in deciding who should reply to official correspondence from their own constituents and other members’ constituents.

Mr Tom McCabe: Ministers will normally reply direct to correspondence from their own constituents where the subject matter of the correspondence falls within their ministerial portfolio.

Ministerial Correspondence

Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Affairs will reply to my letter of 8 March 2000 regarding my constituent Mr A Rogers of Alvah.

Susan Deacon: The letter of 8 March to Ross Finnie was passed to me to reply in view of my responsibility for meat hygiene issues. I apologise for the delay in responding. This was due to the administrative hand-over from the Scottish Executive to the new Food Standards Agency who now has operational responsibility for small abattoirs.

  I have now seen and responded to the correspondence referred to, and the member for Banff and Buchan should recently have received my reply.

Ministerial Correspondence

Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport and the Environment will reply to my letter of 17 April 2000 regarding my constituent Mrs Scott of Peterhead.

Sarah Boyack: I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.

Rape

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of rape prosecutions processed through the courts in each of the years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 ended with verdicts of (i) guilty of rape or lesser charge, (ii) not proven and (iii) not guilty and in how many cases the victims were women and in how many cases male.

Colin Boyd QC: The available statistics were published in the reply to question S1W-4882 to which Mr Gallie is referred. In addition, the Crown Office conducted a review of all rape cases that were indicted at the High Court in 1998. The conviction rate, including pleas of guilty and convictions of rape and of lesser offences, was 43%. The acquittal rate was 40%. In the remaining 17% of cases a warrant was issued because of the accused’s failure to appear.

  In Scotland, the crime of rape is defined as sexual intercourse by a man with a woman achieved by the overcoming of her will. Apart from the crime of rape, information cannot be extracted as to the gender of the victim.

Rape

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of rape were reported in the years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and how many of these were (a) found to be based upon false allegation, (b) prosecuted, (c) abandoned at the request of the victim and (d) abandoned due to lack of evidence or for other reasons, and in how many of the cases the victims were women and in how many cases male.

Colin Boyd QC: There are no statistics held as to the information requested at (a) and (c). Statistics on the number of reports of rape recorded by the police, of persons proceeded against for rape, and the number of cases in which proceedings were dropped, discontinued or deserted were published in the reply to question S1W-4882, to which Mr Gallie is referred. In cases other than rape, information cannot be extracted about the gender of the victim.

Rape

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made by those accused of rape to have victims questioned on their sexual history and how many applications were granted in each of the years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

Colin Boyd QC: Statistics are not held regarding the number of applications made on behalf of accused to, and granted by, the court in terms of section 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 to question an alleged victim of rape about her previous sexual history or character.

Road Safety

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any sections of the A76 have a higher than average accident rate and, if so, which sections these are.

Sarah Boyack: Based on the accident record for the last three years, the sections of the A76 which have a higher than average accident record are as follows:

  1. Dumfries Bypass to Auldgirth

  2. Thornhill Village (South) to A702 Junction, Carronbridge

  3. Sanquhar (North) to Kelloholm

  4. Kirkconnel (North) to Pathhead

  5. B7083 Junction, Netherthird to Darnlaw Roundabout, Auchinleck

  6. Mauchline Village

  7. Bargower to Kilmarnock Interchange

  While the above sections have a higher than average accident rate, the accident rate for the A76 as a whole is the same as the Scottish trunk road average for this type of road. Although some sections of the A76 have a higher that average accident rate, the annual monitoring exercise of accidents, based on the accident records for the last three years, has not identified any particular accident cluster sites which merit individual treatment.

Roads

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the financial details of the Public/Private Partnership involving Midlothian Council for schools in Dalkeith, provide details of any projected capital receipts that will be released by developing the project and clarify whether such receipts will be allocated for educational purposes or transferred for other capital projects in Midlothian including proposals to realign the A701.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The financial details of the Public/Private Partnership are a matter for Midlothian Council. For our part, we have agreed to the council’s request to switch the revenue support originally earmarked for the A701 to the Dalkeith schools PPP. As part of this arrangement, the council has agreed that the capital receipts released from the sale of the existing Dalkeith school sites would be used to part-fund the A701 works on a conventional basis.

Roads

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance can be given that adequate financial resources will be made available to Angus Council to fund the replacement of the road bridge over the River South Esk at Montrose, given that the likely cost of a replacement bridge is estimated at £6 to £7 million and the council’s anticipated annual capital allocation for all services is less than £6 million per annum.

Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the reply given to question S1W-7474.

Schools

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is for a child to receive free school milk throughout the school year.

Peter Peacock: Information on the cost of providing free school milk in schools is not collected centrally.

Schools

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of schoolchildren at (a) primary level and (b) secondary level received free school milk, broken down by local authority for the last year for which figures are available.

Peter Peacock: Information on the proportion of schoolchildren who receive free school milk in schools is not collected centrally.

Schools

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage local authorities to provide free school milk to (a) all schoolchildren whose parents are in receipt of either income support or working families tax credit and (b) other schoolchildren.

Peter Peacock: Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, as amended, all local authorities must provide free milk, meals and other refreshments to children whose parents are in receipt of income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or support provided under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. They have a discretionary power to provide milk, meals and other refreshments to other children but must charge for such provision.

  Local authorities are aware of their responsibilities and the Scottish Executive has no plans to take specific steps in this area.

Social Inclusion Partnerships

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why it has invited the North Ayr Social Inclusion Partnership to create a Committee of 500 in Ayr, given that a Committee of 1,000 already exists in the South Ayrshire Council area, and what the expected benefits of the creation of a Committee of 500 will be for the area.

Jackie Baillie: The establishment of People’s Panels allows the SIPs to test attitudes, opinions and changes in quality of life, specifically in the Partnership areas, so that they can measure their progress over time. In this way the SIPs can ensure that their activities continue to be effective and that they are meeting local needs. Panels also allow the SIPs to gather particular information for monitoring purposes which would be difficult to gain by any other method.

  North Ayr Partnership are in regular contact with South Ayrshire Council to establish how the different panels can complement each other.

Teachers

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to examine teachers’ pensions and exit strategies with a view to allowing teachers to leave the profession.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Following the publication of the McCrone Committee’s report, I announced that over the summer months a series of bilateral meetings are scheduled with the key parties leading to implementation discussions in the autumn. During this period a number of issues arising from the report will be considered, including the recommendations on early retirement.

Transport

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of heavy goods vehicles entering Scotland through the ports of Stranraer and Cairnryan have a final destination outside Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: This information is not held centrally.

Transport

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have indicated that they will consider possible use of the proposed powers on road user charging and workplace parking charges.

Sarah Boyack: The City of Edinburgh Council have indicated that they are considering using the proposed powers on road user charging. Glasgow City Council and Aberdeen City Council have also expressed an interest more generally in seeing if the powers may be suitable for their areas.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on the Warm Deal by each local authority in 1999-2000 and what are the projected figures for 2000-01.

Mr Frank McAveety: The amount spent by each local authority in 1999-2000 is shown in table 1 and the allocation for each for 2000-01 is set out in table 2:

  Table 1

  


Warm Deal expenditure by Local Authorities 
in 1999-2000




Council


Amount spent


Council


Amount spent




Aberdeen


£81,847


Inverclyde


£60,000




Aberdeenshire


£52,153


Midlothian


£50,000




Angus


£10,769


Moray


£60,000




Argyll and Bute


£42,382


North Ayrshire


£60,000




Clackmannanshire


£50,000


North Lanarkshire


£266,615




Dumfries & Galloway


£64,460


Orkney


£14,307




Dundee City


£160,000


Perth & Kinross


-




East Ayrshire


£89,522


Renfrewshire


£90,000




East Dumbarton


£41,308


Scottish Borders 


£40,000




East Lothian


£70,000


Shetland


£15,191




East Renfrewshire


£38,154


South Ayrshire


£69,692




Edinburgh


£199,615


South Lanarkshire


£167,384




Falkirk


£110,000


Stirling


£22,922




Fife


£140,000


West Dunbartonshire


£80,000




Glasgow City


£494,753


West Lothian


£47,154




Highland


£45,193


Western Isles


£14,076










Total


£2,748,127




  Table 2

  


Warm Deal: allocations to Local Authorities 
for 2000-01




Council


Amount allocated


Council


Amount allocated




Aberdeen


£110,000


Inverclyde


£70,000




Aberdeenshire


£60,000


Midlothian


£60,000




Angus


£50,000


Moray


£60,000




Argyll and Bute


£50,000


North Ayrshire


£70,000




Clackmannanshire


£60,000


North Lanarkshire


£270,000




Dumfries & Galloway


£70,000


Orkney


£30,000




Dundee City


£180,000


Perth & Kinross


-




East Ayrshire


£100,000


Renfrewshire


£100,000




East Dumbarton


£60,000


Scottish Borders 


£50,000




East Lothian


£80,000


Shetland


£40,000




East Renfrewshire


£50,000


South Ayrshire


£80,000




Edinburgh


£200,000


South Lanarkshire


£190,000




Falkirk


£130,000


Stirling


£50,000




Fife


£140,000


West Dunbartonshire


£90,000




Glasgow City


£550,000


West Lothian


£70,000




Highland


£70,000


Western Isles


£30,000










Total


£3,220,000




  Perth and Kinross Council is not participating in the Warm Deal.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many enquiries have been received by the Energy Action Grants Agency from pensioners regarding grants under the Warm Deal scheme.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Energy Action Grants Agency does not record enquiries by age of caller. However about 40% of grants awarded monthly by Eaga are for the over 60s.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many New Deal placements have been created to deliver the Warm Deal scheme and how many long-term unemployed people are engaged in delivering the Warm Deal service to pensioners for the most recent date for which figures are available.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Warm Deal provides about 400 places for people taken on under the New Deal. The trainees are engaged in installing insulation measures across a range of households. No figures are kept on the number of trainees employed on works for pensioners.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioners benefited from the Warm Deal scheme in 1999-2000 and the current financial year.

Mr Frank McAveety: Part of the Warm Deal is administered by Eaga. In 1999-2000 they arranged insulation for 6,628 pensioner households. 1,559 such households were insulated in April and May 2000, the most recent period for which figures are available. The other part of the Warm Deal is administered by local authorities for their own stock. No figures are held centrally on the number of pensioner local authority tenants who have benefited.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what has been the average payout for each Warm Deal grant awarded in 1999-2000 and the current financial year.

Mr Frank McAveety: Part of the Warm Deal is administered by Eaga and resources are distributed as grant for householders. In 1999-2000 the average amount of grant was about £315. That figure remains the average for the current year to date. The other part of the Warm Deal is administered by local authorities for their own stock. Resources go to authorities as landlords: the householders do not receive a grant. My answer to question S1W-7906 gives details of local authority expenditure on the Warm Deal in 1999-2000 and allocations for 2000-01.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to evaluate energy cost savings in homes which have benefited from a Warm Deal grant.

Mr Frank McAveety: The data provided by Eaga and by local authorities enables us to quantify a range of benefits from the Warm Deal. These include improvements in energy rating, savings in fuel bills and reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. A report on these benefits from the Warm Deal in 1999-2000 is being prepared and will be published.

Warm Deal

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has the average home saved on fuel bills following insulation improvements made under a Warm Deal grant.

Mr Frank McAveety: I refer to my answer to question S1W-7911. The report referred to will quantify average savings in fuel bills arising from the Warm Deal.